Pride Prose Reviews ~ June 2025 - Page 2

a little bit of pride...

Colin Cotterill: 1. Killed at the Whim of a Hat (385p.) - 2. Grandpa, there's a Head on the Beach (337p.) - 3. The Axe Factor (303p.)

Apart from the humerous language (+ irony+sarcasm) and bizzare (crime-)happenings, one learns a lot about life in Thailand. Cotterill, with British and Australian citizenship, lives in Thailand.

There is a little bit of "pride" in this series, as a sibling of the protagonist is transsexual. Jimm Juree (the female protagonist) introduces this member of her family as "my sister Sissi who used to be my older brother Somkiet". The first description of her older sister sounds a bit strange: "She wore sunglasses and a thick scarf despite the summer heat, because she couldn't be persuaded that the saggy skin on her neck made her look like a turkey. That wasn't the case; her neck was fine. There was really nothing sadder than an aging transsexual ex-beautyqueen. At least, that's what I used to think." That will change During the crime investigations, Sissi is the one who does the Internet research work (legal and illegal) when needed...

This is just a small review:

In the first volume, crime reporter Jim Juree has to cope with the move from the big city to the backward province of southern Thailand, along with the threat of a career setback. Jimm's mother had the spontaneous idea to exchange the profitable grocery store / residential building in the city for a holiday resort to be managed on the coast. The family consisting of Mair (mother, who is on the verge of dementia), the muscular and extremely sensitive younger brother Arny, as well as the retired Grandpa Jah (ex-policeman) live in the holiday complex, while Sissi was left behind in the city. Although there is no local newspaper of the caliber of her former employer, Jimm has set her mind on pursuing her journalistic passion in the province - albeit under more difficult conditions, because, among other things, she lacks the technology she is used to. However, fortunately, she has a sister in 'civilized society' who earns her living from cybercrime and supports the researches.

All three volumes are funny and exciting crime novels which give insights into Thailands culture, history, politics, social problems, etc.

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Val Mc Dermid: 1. 1979 (408p.) - 2. 1989 (430p.)

Belonging herself to the LGBTQAI+ community, Val McDermid wrote (and still writes) crime novels where the leading investigator is a woman. As she herself worked as a journalist, three of the female protagonists of her five crime series have a journalistic background or work as reporters. Allie Burns of 1979 and 1989 is an investigative reporter. This year, 1999 will get published, a cross over to McDermid's famous crime series which has DCI Carol Jordan and clinical psychologist and profiler Dr.Tony Hill as protagonists.

Homosexuality is part of McDermid's novels, also in 1979 where Allie Burn's fellow-reporter Danny is a closeted gay and she herself starts a relationship with Rona, a lesbian fashion journalist, latter being an integral part of the following novel(s).

In 1989, homosexuality belongs to the main plot as the historical background deals with AIDS, the reactions of society to it and the dubious ways for finding a medical treatment in the then still communist East Germany.

1979 - the topics: We read about the IRA, planned assassinations, and insurance fraud, undercover agents, chases, and a murder—all with the investigative capabilities of the 1970s. Danny and Rona are gay, which was a criminal offense in Scotland at the time, so we also experience how gay people went into hiding. During their collaboration, Danny outs himself to Allie when he invites her to his appartment for the first time to discuss their investigation.

The two quotes I translated from the German audiobook:

[Allie:] "You have to tell me why you freaked out when you saw who G.B. was talking to." [Danny:] "I know him." [Allie:] "Obviously, but how?" Danny frowned and sighed: It's complicated, and when you told me who he was, it got even more complicated. I don't even know where to begin... He blinked nervously and gave her a pitiful look. "I'm like you, Allie." Perplexed, she said: "What do you mean, you're like me?" He looked down. "I'm gay." This was so completely unexpected that she could only stare at him. He looked up. "We're the same kind and we have to hide our homosexuality at Claryon." "What on earth are you saying? I'm not gay, Danny." I--- don't have a problem with you being gay, but I'm not a lesbian."

However, later, Allie will discover that Danny was right. For a long time, Allie remains the only one at the Clarion to know about Danny's sexuality but then, during a police investigation, she betrays his trust:

[Officer to Allie:] "You say Danny wasn't your boyfriend. Maybe that was your problem. He wanted to be your boyfriend, but you were against it.... Did he try to rape you, Allison? It's difficult to talk about, but it's not your fault." The dam broke. "Why don't you listen to me! Danny wasn't interested in me. Danny was gay." As soon as she said these words, she was overcome with shame. ... It would only be a matter of time before it would be gossiped about in the press club.

1989 - the topics: a media mogul with a dubious past, a murder, a kidnapping, the exclusion of men with HIV (AIDS as a gay disease), forbidden drug trials in East Berlin, the fall of the Berlin Wall. My two quotes will be about the dealing with AIDS at this time (from the Kindle version).

Allie: ‘I’m an investigative reporter. ... I want to write about why people with HIV and AIDS are leaving Scotland. I suspect there’s a story there about a lack of provision in the Scottish system. ... how did you end up here? ... What about treatment?’ [Jamesie] shook his head. ‘There isn’t any treatment, is there? Not once you’ve got full-blown AIDS. They can’t make us better. ... In Edinburgh, I couldn’t get into rehab or any other treatment after I was diagnosed. There were no beds. No spaces. What clinics there are, they’re bursting at the seams. We’re just dumped on a scrapheap. ... And guys like me, we don’t have anybody that wants to take care of us. No cuddles from Princess Diana for the likes of us. So I came down here, where nobody knew I was HIV positive. I thought I could escape that feeling that I had a target on my back. ... Don’t get me wrong. There’s some doctors and nurses working their arses off to help us. But there’s a hell of a lot more who wish we’d just crawl into a corner and die. They f*cking hate us.’

Allie in conversation with Dr Butler who runs the Manchaster clinic where Jamesie from Edinburgh is treated: [Allie:] ‘What about medical research? Are they making progress? Are you working with any of the pharmaceutical companies?’ ... ‘We’re not big enough. We wouldn’t give them the statistically significant results they need. I know there were some trials going on in Edinburgh, but I don’t know what happened.’ ‘What do you mean, what happened?’ He shrugged. ‘Your guess is as good as mine. They just stopped.’

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Kacen Callender: 1. Felix Ever After (368p.) - 2. Lark & Kasim Start a Revolution (363p.)

Kacen Callender, who is non-binary and Black, has a knack for bringing the LGBTQIA+ community closer to readers. Her teenage protagonists are refreshingly natural and relatable. Felix Ever After was published when Kaven was 20, and the story of Lark and Kasim came two years later.

Felix Ever After

The "ever after" reminds me of the wedding saying "happily ever after"...yes, and "Felix" also means "the happy one." But until 17-year-old Felix feels truly happy in his own skin and world, it takes not only the entire book, but also a few friends (and enemies).

Until he was 12, Felix was a girl, but only biologically, not emotionally. His father gives him everything he needs to get transformed into a boy, but he can't bring himself to name his transgender child Felix...he says "kid." Felix never was in love yet but he has a close friend, Ezra with whom he spends most of his time – in school and also many nights in Ezra's home.

[Felix, the narrator] I'm back up to my dad's apartment... “The prodigal son returns” my dad says, only slightly passive-aggressively. ... I don't know why he's suddenly annoyed that I'm staying at Ezra's. ... We'd agreed that I split my time between home and Ezra's. ... “Hey, kid, ... ,maybe you should give Ezra's apartment a break.” ... “I'm not sure how I feel about you spending all that time with a boy.” I freeze. It's the sort of thing my dad would say before he knew I was a guy. ... “I like staying down by Ezra's, because at least with him, I never have to feel like he doesn't respect me.” “And what does that mean?” “I mean he knows that I'm a guy,” I say, ignoring the flinch of shame deep inside me - these days, I don't even know if I'm a guy myself. “...I mean that he calls me by my name: Felix.”...I feel like a shitty son, getting angry at my dad when he's the one who paid for my hormones, my doctor's visits, my surgery – but every time I'm around him, I feel like I have to work hard to prove that I am who I say I am. It pisses me off that he doesn't just accept it. ... “I've had a certain idea of who you are in my head for twelve years. That's a long time.”

And it's a long quote but it tells some of Felix's dilemma. He wants to be loved for the person he is. Regularly he writes emails to his mom who left him and his father and never responds to one of the mails.

Hey Mom, Here's something I haven't told you yet: even though I came out to you as a trans guy in an email, I'm not sure if I'm actually a guy. It's a hard feeling to describe. It's like...just this sense, this feeling in my gut that something isn't totally right. I know that I'm definitely not a girl. But that's all I know.

Then there's Deaclan, who at first comes across as a bit of an a**hole. Ezra and Deaclan were lovers for a year, but are no longer. However, the more you get to know Deaclan, the clearer it becomes that he doesn't have it easy and is just good at hiding his insecurities. A very interesting character, and also deep.

The story takes place in New York. Historical aspects are also incorporated. Christopher Street Day and its significance, both in the past and for visitors today, are very interesting.

To me, the detailed characters, the lively language, the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community and the honest handling of one's own feelings made Karen Callender's book a pleasure to read.

Lark & Kasim Start a Revolution

Lark Winters publishes his thoughts and threads on Twitter and is now looking for an agency willing to publish a book he's still writing. But he receives one agency rejection after another. Too young, too queer, too emotional — no one seems to recognize the story's relevance for nonbinary people like Lark. Suddenly, a tweet-thread about unrequited love appears on Lark's Twitter account and immediately goes viral (side note: one uses the pronouns "they" and "them" when talking about a nonbinary person).

How do I tell them that I love them? Maybe it's too late to tell them how I really feel. That I've had these feelings for months, for years, as long as I know them. It'd kill me if they pushed me away. If they told me that they don't feel the same. Maybe it's better, then, to just keep loving them silently. Just be grateful for the relationship we have now, even when I'm afraid that they might hate me. How do I tell them that I love them? That's the question I asked, but I already figured the answer out, all on my own: I don't. I don't tell them that I love them. No matter how much it hurts.

Lark's dream becomes a reality as he finally gets the attention he's been longing for all along. The only problem: Lark never wrote the tweet! It actually was Lark's former best (but now estrainged) friend Kasim who used Lark's PC whithout latter's knowledge. Lark must choose: live the dream to be loved based on a lie, or find out what's behind Kasim's tweet and what happened to their friendship...

As in FelixEverAfter, the characters are very well-developed; I found it easy to empathize with them. At 17, Lark still has to learn where they stands and what goals are important to them. The other characters are also convincing, especially Kasim, whose problems only become clear over time. Overall, it's nice to see the characters grow and experience how they become aware of their weaknesses and emerge stronger from them.

Lark wants to be loved, but his mom says: "Not everyone is going to like you. ... You'll spend your entire life trying to mould you into someone else, but then you'll realise you wasted all that time getting others to like someone who isn't even you.” But if I can mold myself into someone else and change the parts of me that people don't like, then why shouldn't I? This world already has enough excuses to hate someone like me.

Eventually, through a well relatable 'journey', Lark comes to a quite mature conclusion and writes on Twitter:

I know that most people will be angry with what I have to say but I've decided to stop caring. That's a hard thing for me to do. I've always cared about what people think of me. But I realised it was because I hated myself, and I needed their love as permission to feel worthy of love. I want to love myself. I think I'm finally starting to. A part of loving myself has been learning to take accountability and responsibility. It's also about creating bounderies for safety. ... This journey on social media has been unhealthy for me. This has been an unsafe place. And I can't heal in a space that wants to harm me. So, with that, I will delete this account. ... I love you all. I really do mean that. Sincerely, Lark.

Kacen Callender has tackled a number of difficult, sometimes relatively unknown topics: homophobia, racism, neurodiversity, (cyber) bullying and mental health issues, but also love, friendship and polyamory (= engaging in multiple romantic relationships, with the consent of all the people involved). The love story that Kacen Callender depicts, doesn't correspond to the classic, stereotypical image on many levels but is (imo) very well implemented and explained.

The wealth of topics can certainly be overwhelming for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. I recommend reading "Felix Ever After" first as an easier introduction. I would recommend this sequel to people who would like to read a novel with a high representation of queer characters.

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Alice Oseman: Loveless (499 p)

Loveless seems to me to be a wonderful addition to Kacen's two books, as this time it features a female protagonist who gives us insight into what the "A" in LGBTQIA means.

“I loved—loved!—love. I know that's corny. But I was never cynical. A dreamer, perhaps, who believed in the magic of love and longed for it." Georgia likes romantic movies and is an avid reader of romantic fiction, but she realizes that she herself has never really fallen in love. First love, the first kiss, tender encounters, and the development of deep feelings for another person are important elements not only in books. But what if you're like Georgia? Almost desperately, she tries everything to be like everyone else, certain that it just takes a little longer. She's supported by Rooney, her dorm roommate at the university, who is Georgia's exact opposite—extroverted and open about sex. She gives her well-intentioned advices and ultimately suggests that Georgia should 'try' Jason, Georgia's childhood friend. However, this turns out to be more likely to lead to the destruction of a deep friendship.

As it was in FelixEverAfter a pride self-help group, in Loveless it is the institution Pride Society and the member Sunil that initiates and supports self-discovery and a positive emotional development. Georgia has to admit that “even though I longed for these things, I knew they would never have made me happy anyway. The idea of ​​them was always nice. But the reality made me sick."

Sexuality, self-discovery, acceptance, diversity, love, and friendship—these are the things "Loveless" is about. The story is touching, authentic, instructive, clever, funny and serious. It's animated with numerous queer characters and brimming with emotion. Although it's not a classic romance, it contains a great deal of love. Love is simply so much more than romance and sex. Friendship is love, too, and just as meaningful and precious as romantic and sexual relationships.

Alice Oseman has created a powerful, believable young woman who not only gets to know herself, but also questions things that are firmly anchored in society as normal - first love, relationships and ultimately marriage and starting a family. Actually, I liked all of the main characters because they have depth and are very different and one learns a lot about asexuality/aromanticism.

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Jonathan Kellerman: Over the Edge (452p)

Child psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware receives a late-night call from a former patient (Jeremy). The patient is babbling incoherently. The psychologist goes to a mental hospital to see the patient, only to discover that he has just escaped. Next, the patient is discovered sitting among a pile of corpses with a bloody knife in his hand, his circumstantial evidence outing him as a mass murderer. The psychologist is hired by the patient's lawyer to determine insanity. The lawyer is weird. The family is weird. The patient is weird anyway. The patient's friends are weird. The mental hospital staff are weird.

What I like about the story is - among other things - the psychological and also the medical part, as it deals with the effects and interactions of different medications.

Jonathan Kellerman is not only a highly successful and prolific author, but also a child psychologist and psychological consultant at the Los Angeles Superior Court. His main work is the thriller series featuring child psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware and his friend, the gay police officer Milo Sturges. Like his creator, Alex lives and works in LA, is married (his wife is a trained instrument maker and repairs all kinds of stringed instruments for famous artists), and provides psychological reports on children in custody for family court.

Milo's position and work in the LAPD is affected by his known homosexuality and it is interesting to read the changing from the first book (When the Bough Breaks) in 1985 to the 40th one in 2025. Milo has a long-time live-in relationship with a surgeon working in a LA hospital and regularly involves his friend Alex in his murder investigations.

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Scott Turow: Suspect (449 p.)

The main protagonists are two women, one being a sheriff, the other a female investigator working for an attorney.

For as long as Lucia Gomez has been the police chief in the city of Highland Isle, near Kindle County, she has known that any woman in law enforcement must walk a precarious line between authority and camaraderie to gain respect. She has maintained a spotless reputation—until now. Three male police officers have accused her of soliciting sex in exchange for promotions to higher ranks. With few people left who she can trust, Chief Gomez turns to an old friend, Rik Dudek, to act as her attorney in the federal grand jury investigation, insisting to Rik that the accusations against her are part of an ugly smear campaign designed to destroy her career and empower her enemies—both outside the police force and within..

Clarice "Pinky" Granum is about as unconventional of an investigator as you could possibly imagine. The granddaughter of a well-respected lawyer, Pinky spent much of her youth experimenting with different drugs, having casual romantic trists with both genders, and coming up short in every undertaking she attempted. Her last big failure came as she was booted from the police academy. Pinky has landed on her feet though. She now works as a licensed private investigator for Rik Dudek, looking into the minor cases that he takes on. When Rik agrees to represent disgraced police chief Gomez, Pinky knows she will need to keep her head down and stay out of trouble. She's about to find out, though, that keeping a low profile is easier said than done.

II found Suspect to be an engaging read with a bisexual main character that really helped to differentiate this book from the other Scott Turow Kindle County legal thrillers.

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aryapdane's Pride themed reads for June 2025

Book#1: If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio

Page Count: 422 pages

Review: 4/5 stars.

Okay... if you are into Dark Academia, or you're a theatre nerd, or at any point of your life, you thought memorizing Shakespeare's soliloquies was a worthy hobby-- have I got the book for you!

The plot of this book is thus: our broody narrator, Oliver Marks is getting released from prison after ten years for a murder he may or may not have committed. Flashback to his final year at his fancy art school, where he and his six fellow theatre kids basically live, breathe, and quote Shakespeare like it's their own secret language. And then one of them wounds up dead.

But the review has to be about how this is related to LGBTQAI+ theme, so let's get to it.

First of all, we have Alexander, who is gay and such a vibe. He is bitchy and volatile and that 'guy' in the group who'd say the thing that everyone's thinking but don't wish to say out loud.

There's Filippa. Glorious and gender fluid and pansexual-coded. She's detached from the whole messiness of this group of 'friends' and I love her for it.

But really, this book is all about the relationship of James and Oliver. I mean they are a slow-burn romance with so much sexual tension, it almost radiates from the pages. The way Oliver describes James is not how you describe your straight best friend, please. He's in complete denial, there's a murder and they're separated from each other for ten years and--- I think I'm going into spoiler territory.

Quotes I love:

We stood there, motionless, staring at each other. James’s eyes were keen bright gray, but standing so close I could see a little ring of gold around each pupil. Something was moving, working, in his mind—accompanied by a tightening at the corners of his jaw, a nervous twitch of his lower lip. James had never really been angry with me, to my knowledge. Transfixed by the strangeness of it, I completely forgot my own part of the exercise and simply watched the pressure build, his shoulders rising, fists clenched tight at his sides. He gave me a small, curt nod. I knew what was coming, but some incongruous reflex made me lean forward, tilt toward him. His hand slashed up toward my head, but I didn’t react, didn’t do the nap or the turn, just flinched as something sharp flicked across my cheek.

It was weirdly still and quiet in the room. James frowned at me, the spell of animosity broken. “Oliver? You didn’t— Oh!” He took my chin in one hand and turned my head, brushed the side of my face. Blood. “God, I’m sorry.”

I mean the subtext is not even subtle. And this moment is so telling. Oliver is a moth to James' flame.

Here's another sample of that:

James looked up, looked right at me. He seemed surprised to see me standing there, though I didn’t know for the life of me why he should be. Was I not always his right-hand man, his lieutenant? Banquo or Benvolio or Oliver—little difference.

And,

He kissed her once more, this time long and lingering. My mask was hot and sticky on my face, my stomach twisted inside out and aching like an open wound. I leaned heavily on the balustrade, trembling under the weight of parallel truths that I had, until then, been able to ignore: James was in love with Wren, and I was blindly, savagely jealous.

This whole scene is so, so well written, I can't deal. And this paragraph just hits so perfectly, coz it's the first time Oliver admits to himself tha his feelings for James aren't best friendly.

‘Why can’t you and Oliver just admit you’re queer for each other and leave my girls alone?’

I detest Richard but dude was on the money here.

Anyway, the only reason it got a 4 star rating is because some of the side characters aren't well developed. But I would highly recommend this if you're into:

• Murder
• Men who don't know they're in love with their best friend
• Shakespeare

Read it and when you reach the end, maybe scream into the void. Shakespeare would approve!

*

Book #2: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Page Count: 400

Review:

The only reason I enjoyed this book as much as I did is solely because Evelyn Hugo is based on Elizabeth Taylor. I read a Taylor Swift interview where she had recommended a book about the love story of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, and that story hijacked by brain. So 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' sounded like a fantastic read. And it delivered. In fact, it delivered more heart, heartbreak, and sapphic longing than I could hope for.

Spoiler Alert:

The best thing about this book is the subversion. This isn’t about Evelyn Hugo's husbands at all. It’s about who Evelyn wasn’t allowed to marry. Evelyn’s great, abiding love is Celia St. James. The rival actress. The woman Evelyn loved in secret and sometimes from afar, often messily but always, always profoundly.

Taylor Jenkins Reid does a good job with the LGBTQ+ themes. She dives into the cost of queerness in the golden age of Hollywood, where being out could cost you everything: your career, your friends, your freedom.

Quotes I loved:

No … because they are just husbands. I am Evelyn Hugo. And anyways, I think once people know the truth, they will be much more interested in my wife.

I'm bisexual. Don't ignore half of me so you can fit me into a box.

The love of my life is gone, and I can't just call her and say I'm sorry and have her come back. She's gone forever. So yes, Monique, that is something I do regret. I regret every second I didn't spend with her. I regret every stupid thing I did that caused her an ounce of pain. I should have chased her down the street the day she left me. I should have begged her to stay. I should have apologized and sent roses and stood on top of the Hollywood sign and shouted, 'I'm in love with Celia St. James!' and let them crucify me for it. That's what I should have done. And now that I don't have her, and I have more money than I could ever use in this lifetime, and my name is cemented in Hollywood history, and I know how hollow it is, I am kicking myself for every single second I chose it over loving her proudly.

*

It's a shame that I can't write a longer review of this book at the moment but I'm really tired so this pathetic version will have to do.

Book #3: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Page Count: 416

Review: The Song of Achilles is a lyrical, gut-wrenching love story that reimagines the myth of Achilles and Patroclus, not as comrades, but soulmates. Madeline Miller paints their bond with aching intimacy and quiet devotion. It’s tender, tragic, and utterly unforgettable. You know the ending and yet, you can't help the tears.

Quotes I loved:

I could have pasted most of the Book here. But I'll settle for these three.

"I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world."

"That is — your friend?"

"Philtatos," Achilles replied, sharply. Most beloved."

"There is no law that gods must be fair, Achilles,” Chiron said. “And perhaps it is the greater grief, after all, to be left on earth when another is gone. Do you think?"

*

Total Page Count: 1238

Bee's Pride Log

Book #1

Name and Author :- Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar

Page count :- 368 (paperback)

Review :-

Both Hani and Ishu were very lovable characters and together they made for a very cute couple ❤️ Although I'm a bit biased towards Ishu since I relate more to her, I was really rooting for Hani to find her voice and take a stand. I like how the author tried to showcase a lot of themes like parental pressure, peer pressure, xenophobia, Islamophobia and biphobia — but tbh, the side characters did feel a bit caricaturish at times. Also, the Bengali representation wasn't really done right imo. Ishu's family was a Hindu Bengali family from India (just like mine), but there was very little I could relate to in terms of her culture.

But ultimately, this was a grumpy/sunshine fake dating romance with brown queer girls — that's something of a miracle in itself! And Hani and Ishu were cute enough for me to overlook the other shortcomings. I also really liked Hani's mom and Ishu's sister ❤️

Quotes :-

"After Hani leaves, I come upstairs to see my room exactly how I like it — the pajamas have been put away and the bed is perfectly made. The thing is, even though everything is exactly how it normally is, something feels distinctly different about my bedroom. Like something of Hani is lingering here that I can't get out of my mind. I can almost smell her shampoo and her perfume — I don't know if it's because she's been in my room or if she's on my mind."

"Sometimes I think that maybe I like guys more as a concept than a reality and girls more as a reality than a concept."

"Every time my phone rings these days I get goosebumps and I fu cking hate it. Having a crush — and I've decided that is unfortunately what I'm inflicted with — is the worst thing that's ever happened to me."

"Where are we going?"

"Anywhere we can be together."

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Book #2

Name and Author :- Once Ghosted Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole

Page count :- 160 (paperback)

Review :-

A black F/F romance, short and sweet. Likotsi was introduced in A Princess in Theory which I'd read years back, but I remembered what an efficient and loyal assistant she was. She worked very hard to make sure the prince got his princess, so it was nice to see her go on a well-deserved vacation and find her own HEA in this novella (though I do wish she got a fully fleshed out novel instead). She and Fab had their issues, but they were quite natural together — wish they'd communicated better 😪 I loved when Fab was taking her to places, Likotsi's first thoughts were organ trafficking and theft

Quotes :-

"We haven't even ordered alcohol yet, and you've already fallen a little bit in love with me and started regretting it?"

"Yes. Because I have one night to learn everything about you and that isn't enough time. Not nearly."

"I'd hoped that this ridiculous love would leave me as quickly as it'd fallen upon me, but it didn't. It clung like a spiderweb, invisible and impossible to extract myself from, and when I saw you stepping through those doors this morning, my heart cracked even more because I realised the web was unbreakable. That you could walk into my world at any time and that love would still be there, clinging to me, that I'd still want to give you everything."

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Book #3

Name and Author :- The Brilliant Death by A R Capetta

Page count :- 384 (paperback)

Review :-

Both MCs in this book are queer and gender-fluid. I quite liked the way the author portrayed gender roles and fluidity, but... that's about all I liked. The premise itself was interesting — a girl using her magical powers to transform herself into a boy and going on a perilous quest for her family's protection — but I wish there was more exploration of the magic or the perils. The usage of magic... felt kinda shallow. The worldbuilding also didn't do much for me. But the worst of all was the romance. There was barely any chemistry between Teo and Cielo, and all of a sudden the intimacy got dialed from 0 to 100. I just didn't understand where the bond came from? They started doing huge favours for each other but to me it all just came outta nowhere. Considering they were both in it with their own objectives, in the middle of political tensions, I didn't even understand how they started trusting each other so quickly. I really feel like their friendship needed some deepening. Sometimes Teo's decisions made no sense at all, esp in the second half. Some important moments were just glossed over like they were nothing — and sometimes treated like mere plot points that needed to happen.

I think the author tried to put in too much into one book and ended up putting nothing much of anything 😅 I was strangely disconnected with both MCs and wasn't really rooting for anything. I considered DNF-ing too, but read on bcz I was curious about the outcome of the court. This is a duology (which makes me wonder why the author didn't opt for a slower burn instead of this dissatisfying quickie plot) but I don't think I'll be reading the second part.

Quotes :-

It was no great secret that a man might choose to kiss another man and certain women took women to their beds, yet these things were rarely spoken of, and never seen. I could kiss Rezina at the frayed edges of the woods but when the time came, I would have to marry a man.

Cielo wore the same clothes she had a minute before — trousers, a loose white shirt. They hung differently against her skin now, but it didn't feel like seeing a different person. It was more like reading the same word twice and finding a new shade of meaning.

I often felt that I didn't fit inside the boundaries of the word girl. It reminded me of a country I could happily visit, but the longer I stayed, the more I knew I couldn't live there all the time. There were moments when I sorely wished to be free of the confines of this body, the expectations it seemed to carry.

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Book #4

Name and Author :- God loves Hair by Vivek Shraya

Page count :- 128 (ebook)

Review :-

Whew. This read was... really something. So vulnerable and poignant, like only a child's PoV can be. A queer brown boy growing up in Canada with his parents and his brother, experiencing the world — and himself — in a million tiny ways. There were points where my heart just broke, but I couldn't help but keep reading. There were instances of bullying, homophobic slurs, SA and depression. For such a short book, it sure packed a punch.

The author, Vivek Shraya, is a bisexual transwoman with many contributions to queer arts. This was her first book, and one I'd planned to read much before but somehow hadn't gotten around to until now. It reads like a diary of sorts. Each chapter is a little snippet of life. Acc to the preface, when the author had written it she still identified as a man, and had no idea that she had painted a trans narrative here. For anyone who decides to read this book, I'd definitely encourage you to read the preface as well. It was beautiful.

Quotes :-

I learn at sunday school that girls are like my mother or my sisters and need to be treated as such. I've always wanted a sister, someone's hair to braid or nails to paint so this is really a blessing. I can tell my own mother is pleased with my staunch adherence to this rule, the way I don't notice girls outside of sisterhood.

Who does God love? Maybe if I was white, maybe if I was a girl, maybe if I was younger, maybe if I was older, maybe if I was prettier, maybe if I was troubled, maybe if I was kinder, maybe if I fasted, maybe if I recite the Gayathri mantra 108 times, maybe if I didn’t lie to the woman selling flowers yesterday. The other followers feel sorry for me and tell me He is just testing my faith. So I remain hopeful and bend as best I can to fit the newest criteria that my sleuthing has led me to, certain of success each time. He doesn’t take notice. Don’t you remember me?

I inhale deeply and exhale completely. It is as though I have found an old picture of myself or the answer to a question that I didn’t have the words to ask. I bring it home with me and tape it to my bedroom door as a declaration.

I am not invisible anymore.

~~~~~~

Book #5

Name and Author :- Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake

Page count :- 418 (audiobook)

Review :-

Lots of Pride rep here! Iris (FL) and her friend Simon are bisexual, Stevie (the other FL) is lesbian, Stevie's friend Wren is non-binary pansexual, and there's also 3 other F/F couples in their friend groups. To top it all off, the story itself begins during Pride month, and involves a community theatre called The Empress which focuses on putting out queer adaptations of Shakespearean plays. It is here that Iris and Stevie get cast to play Beatrice and Benedict respectively (from Much Ado About Nothing) — and also where they decide to fake date. And their first date was at a Pride party! This book really had the rainbow colours going xD

I loved the characterisations. It's a first person dual POV which always makes it easier to connect to the MCs, but even the side characters felt very realistic here. I also liked the portrayal of anxiety, and how the author didn't shy away from showing the actual seriousness of it. I also liked how well-meaning friends who're genuinely looking out for you can end up making you feel smaller sometimes. Again, very realistic. In fact, this book suprised me with how realistic it felt, even through the romcom vibes.

Coming to the couple, I honestly loved how Iris and Stevie were like complements of each other? Most fake relationships start off in superficial ways but these two were pretty real with each other, even from the start. Iris made Stevie comfortable with physical intimacy, while Stevie brought out the romantic gestures for Iris. In fact, how they ever thought they'd keep this fake, I will never know I really liked how well Iris handled Stevie's nerves and spiraling, she was always understanding and supportive and perfect I also liked how she had her own insecurities and vulnerabilities hidden deep within her confident persona. Both of them were so right for each other, they helped each other grow. I liked the resolution, too. I'm all for fictional couples needing each other like they need air, but there's something about wanting to be with someone even when you don't "need" them. There's such a cozy, special vibe to these relationships :)

Quotes :-

"It's just... do you ever feel like the you you want to be isn't the person anyone else wants?"

But that was the tricky thing about love. It was selfless but also needy. Generous but greedy and desperate too. It was everything. And she hadn't even noticed it sneaking up on her.

"I spent a lot of time," Iris went on, "convincing myself I wasn't built to last, wasn't built for romance, for love. But maybe..." Tears bloomed into her eyes. "Maybe I was just built for you."

"Oh," Iris said quietly. "Showtime. Simon be cool."

"Be cool how?"

"Just shut up."

(This one cracked me up 🤣)

~~~~~~

Book #6

Name and Author :- Rick by Alex Gino

Page count :- 254 (audiobook)

Review :-

Rick, the MC, is an asexual middle-grader trying to figure out himself. Throughout the book, he lets go of his internal inhibitions, becomes confident about his identity and opinions, learns to take a stand for the right things, and makes new friends. I honestly think every school library should have this book. Beneath the simple story, it's quite an educative handbook for anyone who has questions about their identity/orientation, while also teaching lessons about kindness and acceptance. Rick had a solid support system here (I esp loved the bond b/w him and his grandfather) that helped him on his journey, but unfortunately, most kids his age don't have a similar environment. This book could help.

Quotes :-

"Think carefully about who you spend time with. The right people, well, they can bring you great joy."

"And the wrong people bring sadness?"

Grandpa Ray shook his head. "Sometimes the right people bring sadness too. The wrong people are the ones who keep you from being yourself."

Sometimes Rick wondered whether he was gay because he'd never had a crush on a girl. But he'd never had a crush on a boy either, so how could he be gay?

"Dad says I'm a late bloomer."

"Maybe, or maybe you're blooming now, and you're just not the kind of flower he was expecting."

~~~~~~

Book #7

Name and Author :- Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks

Page count :- 352 (paperback)

Review :-

I can honestly say that I've never resented a marriage-forcing inheritance clause in a romance novel before this. But Callum (ML) was demisexual so he couldn't just jump into a relationship without emotional connection, and his stutter and social anxiety made forging those new connections harder, and the one person he did feel connected to was still reeling from her previous relationship and not ready for a new one. All the while the clock kept ticking down and he was that close to losing his beloved mortuary and his entire career. He was under so much pressure and I really felt bad for him.

But I'm glad he met Lark, bcz these two definitely needed each other. Lark had so much grief and guilt and trauma buried under her warm, cozy personality. She brought Callum outta his shell and made it easy for him to open up, while Callum's steady presence helped her process and heal. Although both of them annoyed me at times, I did love them, and I loved how they were each other's comfort zones. Also, Callum was quite different from the usual broody/arrogant MLs of this trope. He was such a gentleman, so sweet and genuine, patient and respectful ❤️ He had a sense of humour and he could tease without being snarky. I mean, I do love my snarky leads but this was kinda refreshing

I also loved all the Maeve-Lark scenes. Maeve was this cool lesbian grandma Lark befriended. Their bond was beautiful, wish they'd had more time ❤️

Quotes :-

“When I was growing up, I thought something was wrong with me. All the other lads thought of sex constantly and I... couldn’t relate. I know when a woman is b-b-beautiful.” His eyes met mine. “But I don’t fancy them or have the urge to take them home.”

"Everything changes in this world, not always for the worse. Wounds heal, if you let them."

"I wanna go home."

"No, you don't. You're just used to running away."

At once, Lark was foreign and familiar. Comfort and challenge. A beautiful contradiction, all in one.

"It's never easy to say goodbye."

"No. But I think it's worse not being able to say it."

"I just wanted you to see the best version of me."

I brushed a tear from her cheek. "I want to see all of you."

~~~~~~

Book #8

Name and Author :- Linus and Etta Could Use a Win by Caroline Huntoon

Page count :- 221 (audiobook)

Review :-

Linus is a trans boy who's starting over with his new identity in a new city and new school, and he really wasn't as odd or awkward as he thought — he was pretty cool (and he loves puns! That makes anyone cool in my eyes ). I also loved Etta — trying to be tough but so vulnerable underneath. I genuinely adored Linus and Etta's friendship. Also, "the bet" is one of my favourite tropes, simply bcz of the angst and drama it always brings in, and seeing it used in a platonic setting was so good. However, I had some qualms about how Linus reacted to his grandma throughout the book. Maybe it was my desi upbringing but I felt it was kinda selfish and uncaring. I'm glad it all got communicated and sorted out later, but I do think a bit more understanding should've been shown (I blame the parents more than Linus, though). Overall, this book could've used some more family communication, but it was a quick, enjoyable read. As always, I love seeing my MCs find their voice and footing in life, especially if it's paired with some solid friendship ❤️

Quotes :-

"I'm Linus, by the way. I'm new."

"I'm Etta," I take a beat. "I'm old."

Will I have to explain that I really am a boy? Will I have to explain again after I've already told them? Am I standing like a boy? How do boys even stand?

"Sorry," he says.

"You keep saying that."

"Well, the first one was for knocking into you, the second was for asking for help, and the third is for being weird."

Linus runs a hand through his already floofy hair. I think for a second, and then say, "I only accept the second one."

Linus blinks, and then says, "Okay."

Just a cereal killer and a taco bell. Two best friends, who are weird and happy.

~~~~~~

Book #9

Name and Author :- How to Find a Missing Girl by Victoria Wlosok

Page count :- 400 (paperback)

Review :-

Three girls running an amateur detective agency — one pansexual, one lesbian and one non-binary. There's also a bisexual ex-best friend who's important to the story. The mystery plot was suspenseful and intriguing, but it did drag at some points. Also, the blurb was all "sapphic detective agency" like they're seasoned professionals lol, but these three were never anything more than high school amateurs. The MC was always having breakdowns and shirking away from some obvious investigations and while I can empathise with the trauma, you can't be in the middle of a thriller and be useless for like 70% of the story. That doesn't make for very MC material. Also, there was a lot of YA drama that I don't prefer in my thrillers. Overall, it wasn't a bad read but it's disappointing bcz it had the potential to be a lot better. I honestly think instead of the singular first person POV, this book would've done better with third person limited POVs from multiple characters.

Quotes :-

Because someone has been watching me, someone who wants me scared, someone who might be dangerous.

I swallow. “She was the bravest person I’ve ever met.”

Detective de Rosa dips her head. “I believe there are a lot of people who would say the same thing about you.”

The petals are limp, but they do not fall. And neither will we.

~~~~~~

Book #10

Name and Author :- Ash by Malinda Lo

Page count :- 305 (audiobook)

Review :-

An F/F Cinderella retelling! ❤️ But it's a slightly grittier version, set in a fantasy world where fairies have a far more serious (and alluring) presence than the cheerful, well-meaning fairy godmother. This was also a sorta love triangle, and it was done well. Initially, I had my qualms but something about the writing style drew me in and kept me reading. Reminded me of T Kingfisher's writing, which hooks me in similarly. Also, the second stepsister had somewhat of a personality here — I always like when they do that. Overall, a quick read but a solid one.

Quotes :-

Every time you come near me,” he said, “you come closer to the end of everything.”

“It does not feel that way,” she said. “It feels like I am coming closer to the beginning."

She asked, "Will I die?"

He answered, "Only a little," and she put her hand in his, and she felt the ring between their palms, burning like a brand.

"You told me a fairytale once," he said, "and now I have one to tell you."

She thought about Gwen who wanted so desperately to dream of Collin. She thought about Anna who wanted a life of luxury. What did she want for herself?

~~~~~~

Book #11

Name and Author :- Fall Back in Love with Being Human by Kai Cheng Thom

Page count :- 176 (ebook)

Review :-

Honestly, this book is just IT. Idek how to describe. It's representation of all kinds. Ofc if you're a transwoman then this entire book could be like your personal slogan or something, but even if you're not, if you're just a human being with a heart, this book will make you feel. It's so raw and poignant and charged with emotion. The lowercase writing just adds to the lyricism of the prose poetry, while also keeping it blunt. Honestly, I wish younger me would've had this book. A lot of heavy topics are touched upon, but it's also a confidence boost and an appeal to love yourself and see your own worth. Such a deceptively short read but so impactful, omg.

Quotes :-

(Honestly, EVERY line is a quote in this book. If I could, I'd just put down the whole thing here, bcz the lines are nothing compared to the whole paragraphs containing them.)

our world keeps breaking, over and over again. i have no choice but to believe that a new one is being born.

he says he doesn’t hate people like me, and i believe him, but hate has almost never been the reason that humans hurt humans. fear is.

grief tears us away from our faith, but it’s grief that brings us back as well. because in our deepest grief we have nowhere else to go.

maybe someday you’ll be ready. maybe you’ll never be. either way, i’ll be in the woods after midnight, searching for fireflies without a mason jar, hoping to catch one by standing still and holding out my open hands.

this poem is not made of metal. this poem is made of soft grass and dried flowers, sweet-smelling herbs and petrified wood. this poem is a magic circle that is strong enough to hold the weight of your truth, that this world is unbearable and sometimes you can’t bear it

i am not the end of your world. the world i dream of is big enough for both of us.

~~~~~~

Book #12

Name and Author :- 10 Things that Never Happened by Alexis Hall

Page count :- 400 (paperback)

Review :-

This M/M book was chaos personified! The office team was chaotic, Jonathan's family was chaotic, the amnesia track was chaotic, and there was a cat (always a good thing for chaos-lovers ) The family chaos kinda reminded me of The Proposal, the office chaos reminded me of Suspicious Partners, and every time Sam gave Jonathan those wolf descriptors reminded me of Kang Tae Moo from Business Proposal getting called archaeopteryx All 3 romcoms are personal favourites for me, so I can understand why I enjoyed this book sm

But it was more than that. Besides the chaos, there was also warmth and love and vulnerability. Both MCs were quite likeable to me, although both had their flaws. The way they grew closer also felt quite... natural, somehow? Like a collection of little moments, instead of big major events. Even their climax convo felt very natural. For a romcom, anyway (especially a chaos and drama filled one like this). Both characters showed growth, although I do think Sam's arc had room to be etched better. Jonathan was adorable, though. He was snooty, arrogant and emotionally constipated, yes, but even in the beginning, I found him much more considerate and reasonable than other heroes of his breed. And as soon as he got friendly with the cat, he immediately became a softie in my eyes. It was great to see him softening and bonding with his family, and I love how Sam was a part of these moments (le me, always and forever a sucker for the found family trope 😭). I'm also happy that it was addressed that Sam was in fact, not very good at his job. I love how his pretend amnesia, while helpful for Jonathan's life and heart, also put a lot of things into perspective for himself.

In short, this was quite an enjoyable read. Alexis Hall came highly recommended to me, and this first impression has been great. I can't wait to check out his other works.

Quotes :-

“Jonathan, please.” I wave the phone in his face. “Look at this picture. I clearly love this cat. That is the face of a man who loves his cat.”

Jonathan’s eyes flick from me to the phone back to me. “I’m not sure it’s the face of a cat who loves his man.”

I hurry back to where I left Jonathan checking his email, only he’s not there. That panics me a bit, although I can’t tell if it’s panic like a kid who’s lost his dad, or a dad who’s lost his kid.

"I think I’d rather be someone who cares too much than someone who cares too little.”

“Trying to care about everything is the same as not caring about anything.”

“Shut up and finish your chicken.”

“Excuse me, I’m your boss.”

“Shut up and finish your chicken, sir.”

“Well”—she smirks—“that explains it.”

“It does not explain it.” Jonathan’s getting so into touch with his inner werewolf he’s forgotten to deny we’re dating.

"If you go through life expecting other people to feel the feelings you feel like they should be feeling, you’re going to make things very hard on yourself.”

~~~~~~

Book #13

Name and Author :- My Fair Brady by Brian D Kennedy

Page count :- 350 (ebook)

Review :-

This should be a Netflix movie! It was like one of those high school romcoms, only gayer and more inclusive. I also love the "get training from the popular guy" trope, it's always fun — and doubly so when the training is to try and impress another person, only for the two ppl to get closer throughout the training process, making the way for conflicted feelings and frustration and drama *rubs hands gleefully* 😈

But... this book also felt more realistic than those romcom movies bcz it showed how teenagers can get so easily caught up in the confusion and insecurities and make so many wrong decisions so quickly. There were parts where one of the MCs got this close to dubcon and I was sitting at the edge of my bed wanting to shake him or yell at him, anything to make it not happen. I mean, as a dark romance reader I'm fairly accustomed to dubcon, non-con and even r*pe, but I don't expect any of it in a freaking romcom! Anyway, I'm glad this didn't go the traumatic route and instead made everyone learn some nice lessons. I also think that Wade's friends could've been a bit more understanding/supportive, while Brady's friends were practically saints. But in the end it all wrapped up nicely and made for a pretty satisfying clean romcom.

Quotes :-

"Yeah, I get that. Sometimes being trans feels like it’s the fifteenth most interesting thing about me.”

“What’s number fourteen?” I ask, half-joking.

“Getting permanently banned from the Renaissance Faire,” she replies matter-of-factly.

"You shouldn’t put yourself down,” I tell him.

“I’m not putting myself down. I’m stating a fact.”

“According to whom? Did you conduct a survey?”

“If you two are going to bicker,” Ava says, “can you at least pass the cinnamon rolls? Some of us haven’t had breakfast yet.”

"Wanting to look your best isn’t shallow,” I tell him. “I’m not saying your appearance is the only thing you should care about. But if putting on a nice outfit and fixing your hair makes you feel more confident, why not do it?”

It’s like becoming Brady didn’t solve my problems in the way I thought it would. I’m glad I did the show. And I’m definitely not the same person I was when I first started this. But am I happier? Or do I just have new problems now?

~~~~~~

Book #14

Name and Author :- Aristotle and Dante discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Page count :- 386 (ebook)

Review :-

This book reads kinda like Wimpy Kid, but angstier and way more poetic. Every line was so simple and direct, in that way only a teenager's thoughts can be, but also so incredibly beautiful ❤️ Imo, this book should be treasured and savoured, bit by bit. It's like the author takes you on a journey through the sea, and each word is a pearl you collect on that journey. And in the middle of it all are two boys who are wholly different from each other, growing up and learning about life and love and family, about pain and freedom and being true to yourself, and finally, finally, coming together in the way they were always meant to. A slow, poignant, beautiful journey... both for the boys and for the reader.

Quotes :-

(Again, a book with too many quotable lines to choose from 😭)

Scars. A sign that you had been hurt. A sign that you had healed. Had I been hurt? Had I healed? Maybe we just lived between hurting and healing.

You're every street I've ever walked. You're the tree outside my window, you're a sparrow as he flies. You're the book that I am reading. You're every poem I've ever loved.

I knew that a part of him would never be the same. They cracked more than his ribs.

~~~~~~

Book #15

Name and Author :- Going Overboard - Caroline Huntoon

Page count :- 192 (ebook)

Review :-

Piper, the MC is non-binary and zir best friend is a trans girl. And well, how do I put this... Piper is the most selfish, whiny, shallow, annoying, overreacting and unbearable MC I've had the misfortune to come across in a long time. Watching zir constantly trying to tear apart the two moms — who in contrast were the absolute loveliest, kindest, most supportive and caring moms in the history of momkind — was physically painful. Even the whole hatred for Colton was so overblown. After that one little incident, he was never rude, mocking or anything even close to non-polite. He was a chill guy mostly minding his own business, and there Piper was, being all judgy and hateful towards him while also being an active bully towards the two sweet ladies. Honestly, the only reason I got so far in this book is coz it was so short, I'd just hoped to finish it quick. But then I DNFed coz I didn't feel like putting up with Piper's shallowness anymore (srsly, why are all the book Pipers like this?!)

I liked Linus and Etta by this author, but this one's a total nope from me.

Quotes :-

"Well, for a long time fashion designers made clothes for men or women. It's only in the past couple years that there's been some designers thinking beyond gender, but even then it's more that they're playing on mixing the two."

"Wait a minute, is this about Gwinny or Colton?"

"It's about us!" I stand up, hands fisted at my sides. "It's about how I'm not ready for our family to be not just us."

~~~~~~

Book #16

Name and Author :- The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar

Page count :- 400 (paperback)

Review :-

This was an F/F romance (kinda love triangle-ish) centred around a baking reality TV show. I think I liked the overall plot of this book better than Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating (by the same author), which got kinda ITV-ish at times. This book also got a bit ITV-ish towards the end (I'm starting to think that might be the author's writing style), but at least the side characters were more nuanced here.

The MC of this book, Shireen, is a brown, plus sized female lead who's confident in her own skin. There was a refreshing lack of fatphobia or queerphobia. I also liked her friendship with her best friend Fatima (and I agreed every time Fatima called her out on her stupidities), and how understanding and supportive Shireen's parents were (although the overprotective Bengali dad who doesn't let his daughter go anywhere alone was way too relatable ). I also liked how the book portrayed online racism, and the spiralling panic attacks. Overall, this was a pretty decent read. But I'm starting to think Adiba Jaigirdar isn't really my kind of author. It's not like there's anything wrong with her writing style, but it just doesn't reach out to me. The books are okay for a quick read (and I liked the punny chapter titles in this one ) but I don't think I'll be reading much of her anymore.

Quotes :-

"I know, but you always do your best work when there’s no pressure. So let me handle the pressure.” She gives me a small smile that is so reminiscent of the old Chris—the one I fell in love with—that it tugs at my heart. But then she turns around and puts the floured ramekins to one side to start working on her part of the mixture.

I’ve never been hated before, but I know people get really emotionally invested in reality TV shows. How many times have I absolutely hated someone on my favorite show, even though I know nothing about them other than the persona they’re putting on for TV?

When I glance up once more, Fatima is rubbing the bridge of her nose, like I’ve given her a headache. I would probably have a headache, too, if I was in her shoes, so I can’t blame her.

"I thought it’d be nice to have. Like we’re eating what you’re making.” At that, she finally smiles. This is the way Ammu tells me she’s proud of me. Not with words but through randomly making bakhorkhani.

Niamh grins, and I hate the fact that such a small gesture makes butterflies flutter around my stomach. But there’s really nothing I can do about that.

When we pull away from each other, all of us are grinning. Because we did it. We’re through.

Now… we just have to beat each other.

~~~~~~

Book #17

Name and Author :- Not Your Average Hot Guy by Gwenda Bond

Page count :- 320 (paperback)

Review :-

The MC's best friend was non-binary and dating the MC's brother. They didn't matter much to the plot, but honestly I'm not sure if even the demon ML (who gave the book its name) mattered much to the plot. This book was just wasted potential. The blurb was interesting and the first couple chapters had me excited, but then it all went downhill from there. I was expecting a nice, low-fantasy paranormal romance with some high stakes and humour, but the entire thing quickly degraded into MG adventure vibes, with an annoying FL with main character syndrome. The romance felt like a useless subplot that I wasn't even interested in, and it actually made the book worse. The author should've leaned into the MG vibe and focused on the group, their friendship and their adventure. With all the characters and the plotlines, this book could've been so interesting and it's making me mad that it didn't utilise any of it and fell so horribly flat.

Quotes :-

"That's the thing," Mag says. "He listens. Sometimes that's all I want. Sometimes I don't want anyone to do anything except hear about it."

"Good isn't something you are. It's something you do."

~~~~~~

Book #18

Name and Author :- Transmutation - Alex DiFrancesco

Page count :- 144 (paperback)

Review :-

What a wonderful anthology this was Each short story was different in its flavour but equally impactful, the kind of impact that keeps you thinking about a story long after it's finished. There was an overarching theme of paranormal, but never the in-your-face kind, and even the obviously paranormal ones weren't really about that, they were all much more meaningful. Stories 1, 3, 4, 6 and 9 were directly related to LGBTQ themes (esp 4 and 6, both of which centred around being trans). I'd really recommend this book, esp if you're someone who enjoys slightly darker vibes, subtle but hauntingly poignant. My favourites were 5, 6 and 10.

P.S. I love that even vampires, with their eternal lives, have no hope of finishing their TBRs

Quotes :-

He had exhaled and escaped on a breath into the mire of dreams, never coming out. All we felt was jealousy.

A child on a dusty hot night, after a dusty long walk, understanding so much more than I could understand, and so much less than was required of some.

His features had changed, ever so slightly, but I could see now. I could see that all the sadness was gone.

“Hello,” he said, blinking, standing in his new self.

“Hello.” I smiled.

It is only in the rare moments, the moments that stretch and last and make promises of “forever” they can’t keep, that I forget. And, often, it’s best to forget what you’ve left behind. It lets the rest happen.

First we carried them in our nightmares, then we carried them in our fear, and then we carried them in our anger. Finally, we carried them as our only link to who we were.

~~~~~~

#19

Name and Author :- In the Shadow of your Wings - Enochian Things

Page count :- 191 (ao3 fanfic)

Review :-

One of my favourite Destiel fics that I keep coming back to, bcz I love seeing Cas finding his own place in the world. I love his undying love for Dean, ofc, but him finding connections with other ppl than the Winchesters, learning to love himself and be himself, without having to be useful all the time... I love it so much. And then jealous Dean, always such a treat And Mary is such a... mother in this Caring, perceptive, gentle but strong. The kind of mother they always deserved, especially Dean. If not for her encouragement and guidance, this Dean would still be walking around like a bumbling idiot, bursting with jealousy but clueless on how to let go of his internalised homophobia. Sal always gives us the perfect characters The Crowley scenes were so on point

Quotes :-

"Perhaps you are becoming more intimate with your body? It is part of you now, not only a suit of meat which you inhabit. You are learning its ways, and it is learning yours.”

"Do you notice the way people look at you, sometimes?”

“No,” he says, in truth.

Luca nods, unsurprised. “Because you only care how Dean Winchester looks at you, yes?”

"Your life – your place in this world – it is all for Dean Winchester. You fell from grace for him. You rebelled against Heaven for him. And I think you are afraid to live without him.”

“I dunno, man. They are English.”

“English people aren’t evil, Dean. They can’t help the accent.”

“Right.” Dean laughs, and it’s stupid how fond he feels of Cas right then.

~~~~~~

#20

Name and Author :- Lost in Time - drmcbones

Page count :- 349 (ao3 fanfic)

Review :-

I guess my brain decided that it had enough of romcoms, but instead of dabbling in a little angst like a normal brain, it decided to dunk me into this angsty ocean of a fic. The plot is SO brilliant, and seeing the way young Sam and Dean found a happier life with Cas was the most beautiful thing, but ofc that ending 😭😭 I knew it was coming since this was a reread, but it still managed to trample all over my heart 💔😭 Warning: pls do NOT read this fic if you're in the middle of exams, bcz after the last chapter, your brain just loses all capacity and makes you unable to function for a few hours.

Quotes :-

He was seeing the Dean whose soul he had pulled from hell, the Dean who had treated him like a human being for the first time, the Dean who had looked him in the eyes and challenged him to be better and been there to catch him when he failed.

"You are more important to me than your limited language has words to convey, and you always will be.”

“Yeah, well, he sounds like a prick.”

Castiel hid his smile in Dean’s hair.

“Only on occasion.”

~~~~~~

#21

Name and Author :- It's gettin' dark, too dark to see - Enochian Things

Page count :- 62 (ao3 fanfic)

Review :-

Just Cas and Dean defining the "angst and feels" tag of ao3 again. What a beautiful, bittersweet fic. This is human Cas so I don't recommend reading this if you haven't watched at least s4-8 of supernatural; their backstory is what makes them them.

Quotes :-

"I chose you over Heaven, over my garrison, over fate – over my Father’s will, perhaps. I chose you, Dean."

“Yeah,” he says. “Yeah, we should do that someday.”

Some day when Dean and Sam aren’t hunting, when Cas is no longer hunted or a threat to them. Some day in an impossible future, a day they both know will never come.

"You’re not gonna die for me, Cas. You’re not gonna die, period.”

Castiel frowns. “I’m human,” he reminds him, although he doesn’t see how Dean could have forgotten. “I’m mortal – I will die.”

“Not on my watch.”

“That’s ridiculous,” he sighs. “You can’t stop me dying, Dean.”

“The hell I can’t,” Dean grumbles, as if that’s any kind of answer.

---

Minionite's log

The Lost Americans | Christopher Bollen | 531 pages

A thriller/mystery with a LGBT+ character and a theme of what they face in Egypt, for me this book was really good, but was lacking in one place - how it ended for the mystery side. I understand why it ended that way as it was a realistic take on political thrillers and murders, but I felt like it lacked one final punch for the end.

Quotes:

"It was exotic to Omar to experience an adult romance without any wrapper of hiding, going on a date without pretending not to be on a date for the comfort of the strangers around him. Maybe it was that particular freedom of the West that Omar loved the most."

"Omar may have been exercising excess caution, overscrubbing his digital fingerprints, but if rumors were true, Sisi's secret police could use anything - a photo of a shirtless man at a beach who wasn't a relative, a misguided Google search for p**n, a flirty post on Facebook, a photo of a shirtless man at a beach who was a relative - as grounds for arrest."

"The times had changed, but change was not a substance that was evenly distributed around the world, and perhaps times hadn't changed so much for Omar in Egypt."

Warn Me When It's Time | Cheryl A. Head | 436 pages

A good book and series where the lead character is a lesbian African American facing the usual bigotry and racism while investigating cases. I liked that her story wasn't the main part of the story, but nicely tied in where needed. She spoke strongly for supporting families facing racism and wanting private detectives, but didn't just tie it to herself all the time.

Quotes:

"They had talked about marriage when they bought the house last year but they weren't ready, and even if they took the big step, their union wouldn't be recognized in Michigan. At least for now, they both agreed their domestic bliss didn't require a license."

"So you don't think I'm a bigot? That's what that kid, Kamal, said in my ear when we were leaving the house."

Bury Me In Shadows | Greg Herren | 481 pages

An interesting book with a haunted thriller theme and a rather sad aspect of life for gay people in times as recent as the 1960s and 1970s. I did find the writing a bit slow at times, but overall it's a hard to put down book.

Quotes:

"The dating app experiences were even worse – furtive, hurried hookups that left me feeling dirty and ashamed of myself."

"Tradd wasn’t the first guy I ever had sex with, but I’d fallen madly, head over heels, crazy in love with him – emphasis on crazy."

Pride Log

Book # 1

Red, White & Royal Blue – Casey McQuiston (448 Pages) – Review

There’s something really lovely about watching two people fall for each other when the world tells them not to. Alex and Henry start off on opposite sides of a polished, political stage, but behind all the sarcasm and formality is so much vulnerability. The writing is clever, the romance feels earned, and their connection quietly grows into something real and tender. It’s not just a love story, it’s about identity, pressure, and finding moments of softness in high-stakes places. Surprisingly gentle. Surprisingly powerful.

Quotes:

"I thought, this is the most incredible thing I have ever seen, and I had better keep it a safe distance away from me. I thought, if someone like that ever loved me, it would set me on fire.And then I was a careless fool, and I fell in love with you anyway. When you rang me at truly shocking hours of the night, I loved you. When you kissed me in disgusting public toilets and pouted in hotel bars and made me happy in ways in which it had never even occurred to me that a mangled-up, locked-up person like me could be happy, I loved you.And then, inexplicably, you had the absolute audacity to love me back. Can you believe it? Sometimes, even now, I still can't"

"Should I tell you that when we're apart, your body comes back to me in dreams? That when I sleep, I see you, the dip of your waist, the freckle above your hip, and when I wake up in the morning, it feels like I've just been with you, the phantom touch of your hand on the back of my neck fresh and not imagined? That I can feel your skin against mine, and it makes every bone in my body ache? That, for a few moments, I can hold my breath and be back there with you, in a dream, in a thousand rooms, nowhere at all?"

"But it happens to you when you’re young. It happens when your brain isn’t even fully done cooking, when you’ve barely experienced anything, really. The worst thing is one of the first big things that ever happens to you in your life. It happens to you, and it goes all the way down to the bottom of what you know how to feel, and it rips it open and carves out this chasm down below to make room. And because you were so young, and because it was one of the first big things to happen in your life, you’ll always carry it inside you. Every time something terrible happens to you from then on, it doesn’t just stop at the bottom, it goes all the way down."

"To every person in search of somewhere to belong who happened to pick up this book, I hope you found a place in here, even if just for a few pages. You are loved. I wrote this for you. Keep fighting, keep making history, keep looking after one another."

Book #2

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall (432) – Review:

Surprisingly heartfelt for a book that made me laugh every third sentence. Luc is chaotic in the best way, Oliver is calm but not boring, and together they somehow make fake dating feel… weirdly wholesome? British wit, emotional mess, and slow-burn goodness. It’s not just cute..it’s smart, layered, and lowkey addictive.

Quotes:

"I'm conscious this could be rather burdensome to hear, but you remain the thing I have most chosen for myself. The thing that's most exclusively mine. The one thing that brings me the deepest joy."

"I don’t want fine. Fine isn’t enough. Isn’t not about the open fire or whatever other clichés you can conjure up, but yes, I want a connection. I want you to care as much as I care. I want you to need it and want it and mean it. I want it to matter."

"And I was pretty sure this was how love felt: fuzzy and scary and confusing and light enough to whisk you away like a Tesco’s bag on the wind."

"You are wonderful. But you need to believe that I don't like you in spite of all... all of that. I like you because you're you, and all of that is part of you.... And, anyway, I don't like you - I mean, I do like you, but you should probably know that I love you as well."

Diya's Pride Log

Book God of fury by Rina Kent

Page Count 522

Review 3/5 ⭐️ M/M. The plot is virtually nonexistent, with about 70% of the story revolving around the endless back-and-forth between Nikolai and Brandon, who act more like teenagers than adults (ever heard of communication?). Could the book have been 200 pages shorter? Without a doubt🫡

Quotes from the book (a minimum of 2 quotes)

He tastes like my own downfall and I’m ready to drown in it.

Because Nikolai is the only one who kisses the pain out of me, even if temporarily.

Book Stranizza by Valerio la Martire (Italian)

Page Count 175

Review 4/5 ⭐️ Inspired by the true event, this story is about love and the blind and unmotivated hatred that arises from prejudice. It's the story of two boys Marco and Nino who fell in love one morning in June. Who lived a summer together and who dreamed that a season could become a life. But it didn’t. Hatred and homophobia stood guilty.

Quote

“Tutti sapevano ma che fosse amore, non si disse mai” / Everyone knew but that it was love was never said.

“sentivano che quel tempo era prezioso, che quegli abbracci sotto il pino marittimo li avrebbero ricordati per sempre” / they felt that that time was precious, that those hugs under the maritime pine they would remember them forever

Originally posted by: heavenlybliss

HB's Pride Log and Reviews

1. Book (or FF) Title and Author

Hani and Ishu's Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba jaigirdar

Page Count (Use Amazon page counts and for FFs use word count divided by 300)

Review (can be short but it has to highlight how the book/ FF related to the LGBTQAI+ theme.

Quotes from the book (a minimum of 2 quotes)

I can’t even remember the last time I’ve been into a guy like that. Right now, all men seem overwhelmingly unattractive—except the ones on the Netflix shows I watch. Sometimes I think that maybe I like guys more as a concept than a reality. And girls more as a reality than a concept.

“I mean, like … I don’t want to be too … Muslim. I don’t know where the line is that you cross over to be too much. Once you cross it people start acting like you’re different and weird, and then you’re the outsider.”

“My point, dear sister, is that we all have people who we bend ourselves for the approval of. For you and me, it’s Ammu and Abbu. For Hani, it’s her friends. We all need to fit in, or need to be loved, or need approval. You and Hani aren’t that different, if you think about it.”

2. Book (or FF) Title and Author

God of Fury by Rina Kent

Page Count (Use Amazon page counts and for FFs use word count divided by 300) 522

Review (can be short but it has to highlight how the book/ FF related to the LGBTQAI+ theme. 3 stars - I feel the story took too long to pick up, Nikolai was attracted to Bran since the beginning (he was the more dom one), but it was all physical for like half of the book. Only in the second half did we see what happened with Bran and why he was so insexure. Poor Bran! He had such a terrible life! But by the end, I liked the equation and comfort between the two men. I also liked how they incorporated a chapter with Bran's father Levi's PoV. And even though Lan was an arse, I like the way he protected Bran and helped Niko get justice for his twin.

Quotes from the book (a minimum of 2 quotes)

“I actually found you a perfect nickname. Lotus flower. You know, because you managed to bloom so beautifully while surrounded by the muddy swamp that is Landon. Isn’t that so fcking poetic?”

“I forgive you for pretending not to remember my unforgettable presence.”

“He’s just so elegant.

So fcking beautiful.

The definition of second-best male beauty. The first is me.”

“Even if you hate yourself, I’ll love you for the both of us.”

“What Bran and I do with our relationship has nothing to do with you. Pick up whatever dignity you have left and walk away.”

“His body wasn’t the only thing that hit the ground. My sanity did, too, and it’s still there, floundering in the middle of his blood, choking and unable to come up for air.”

1. Book (or FF) Title and Author

Originally posted by: Viswasruti

Hinna, it seems, you forgot to give the page count for this book--

1. Book (or FF) Title and Author

Hey Madz,

I havent forgotten

I am still reading the book so it will be updated by my night time/your morning. Please wait.